barshttp://www.wisebread.com/taxonomy/term/591/all
en-US15 Ways to Save Money When Getting Your Drink Onhttp://www.wisebread.com/15-ways-to-save-money-when-getting-your-drink-on
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<p>Going to the bar can be a fun pastime with your friends and significant other, or a great place to find your next date. However, the costs of going to the bar can add up quickly, which is why we've provided some simple tips to help you save money on a night of bar hopping.</p>
<h2>1. Order Simple Drinks</h2>
<p>The bar business brings in roughly <a href="http://www.ibisworld.com/industry/default.aspx?indid=1685">$24 billion in revenue every year</a>, so the cost of drinks at the bar can really add up over time. As a general rule, the more complicated your drink is, the more expensive it will be.</p>
<p>Ordering complicated drinks on a busy night is never a good idea. When the bartender is busy, they won't have the time (or patience) to make your mixed drink properly. This means that your expensive drink won't taste as good and may even contain less alcohol. In this case, you won't get a good deal and instead should stick with something simple like a rum and coke. If the bartender knows that you're going to order a complicated drink on your second round, they may not be as likely to help you promptly.</p>
<h2>2. Choose Beer on Tap or House Liquor</h2>
<p>Beer on tap is cheaper than imported beer. Likewise, if you want hard liquor, house liquor will be your most affordable option. If you prefer the more expensive stuff, consider choosing the cheaper stuff later in the night. Once you've had a couple of drinks and are feeling the effects, you probably won't appreciate the expensive stuff anyways.</p>
<h2>3. Buy Pitchers of Beer Instead of Shots</h2>
<p>Buying shots for everyone can be fun, but your hard-earned money will be gone with just one gulp. Purchasing a pitcher of beer for the table will make you look like a hero and will go a lot further than one shot or one glass of beer per person. According to US News, cocktails and wine can be <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2014/07/23/11-ways-to-save-money-at-the-bar">twice as expensive as beer</a>, so it's better to stick with beer at the bar and wine and cocktails at home.</p>
<h2>4. Don't Pay a Cover</h2>
<p>Paying a cover charge will just needlessly increase the overall price of the night. It's best to just avoid bars with a cover charge, so you can spend that money on drinks instead.</p>
<h2>5. Pay With Cash</h2>
<p>People paying with a credit card tend to leave the tab open, and this can quickly make them lose focus on how much they're spending. Instead, use cash so that you are on top of what you're spending all night. You can even set a budget beforehand and bring only that amount of cash with you to help curtail your drinking and spending.</p>
<h2>6. Slow Your Roll</h2>
<p>Try to drink slowly, so you can drink less. Take smaller sips, have a conversation while you're drinking, or drink more water so that you drink less overall throughout the night.</p>
<h2>7. Drink Water in Between</h2>
<p>A good way to save money, and ensure that you don't get too drunk too quickly, is to drink ice water in between every alcoholic drink. Liquor can also be very dehydrating, which is one of the causes of a hangover the next morning. By drinking ice water or mineral water between drinks, you also help ensure that you don't feel as bad the next day.</p>
<h2>8. Find a Fun Bar</h2>
<p>Find a fun bar in your area that offers more than just food and drinks. By choosing a bar that offers something like dancing or trivia, you can take advantage of other fun activities, rather than just devoting the whole night to drinking (and spending money).</p>
<h2>9. Pre-Game</h2>
<p>Pre-gaming and drinking at home with friends before going out is another great way to save money once you make it to the bar. You also get to hang out with friends beforehand and can even get ready together while enjoying drinks on the cheap at home.</p>
<h2>10. Take Advantage of Deals</h2>
<p>Many bars offer deals during the week on food and drinks. You can also check sites like Groupon, Living Social, and Yelp Deals to find discounts on food and drinks near you.</p>
<h2>11. Go to Happy Hour</h2>
<p>A cocktail at the bar can cost anywhere from $10-$15, which can really add up. Happy hour offers the best deals on food and drinks at the bar. Depending on the establishment, happy hour can go into pretty late hours. Some bars even offer late night or early morning happy hours on weekdays. Do a quick online search to see if any bars offer late night specials in your city or town.</p>
<h2>12. Eat a Light Meal Beforehand</h2>
<p>Eating before you get to the bar might prevent you from paying for food at the bar. On the other hand, you shouldn't eat too much or it will require you to drink more in order to feel the effects of the alcohol, so make sure just to eat something light.</p>
<h2>13. Check the Prices</h2>
<p>If you're already planning on eating at the bar, then take a look at their menu online. This will allow you to get a better idea of the prices on their food and drinks, so you can have a plan ahead of time. Consider also splitting appetizers with the group, rather than everyone ordering their own meals, which will be more expensive.</p>
<h2>14. Go to a Tasting</h2>
<p>Many bars offer tastings of beer, wine, or hard liquor like tequila. This will allow you to try and compare different liquors. It's also a fun event and will save you money.</p>
<h2>15. Have a Designated Driver</h2>
<p>Spending money on a cab or Uber can increase what you spend on your night out. Instead, consider having a designated driver, which can save money and provide a safe solution at the end of the night. If possible, you can also consider taking public transportation home.</p>
<h3>How Much Do You Spend?</h3>
<p>When you consider that the top 10% of drinkers in America drink an average of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/">74 drinks per week</a>, you can see how important it is to find ways to save money at the bar. You can also use an <a href="http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/Calculators/alcohol-spending-calculator.aspx">Alcohol Spending Calculator</a> to get a better idea of exactly how much you're spending on alcohol per week, month, and year. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/save-a-surprising-amount-by-quitting-these-4-bad-habits?ref=seealso">Save a Surprising Amount by Quitting These 4 Bad Habits</a>)</p>
<p><em>Do you have other tips for saving money at the bar? Please share your thoughts in the comments!</em></p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/andrea-cannon">Andrea Cannon</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/15-ways-to-save-money-when-getting-your-drink-on">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-1">
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</div> </div><br/></br>Frugal LivingEntertainmentFood and Drinkadult beveragebar hoppingbar nightbarsdrinkingdrinkshappy hoursaving moneyThu, 21 Jul 2016 10:30:09 +0000Andrea Cannon1756333 at http://www.wisebread.comHere's How Rich You'd Be If You Stopped Drinkinghttp://www.wisebread.com/heres-how-rich-youd-be-if-you-stopped-drinking
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<p>If you're like most working adults in America, you like to let off steam at the bar. And, the economy is certainly showing that trend. In 2012, the U.S. bar, tavern, and nightclub industry took in over <a href="http://www.statista.com/statistics/281711/us-bars-taverns-und-nightclubs-industry-revenue/">$23.4 billion in revenue</a>. It's projected to reach $24.35 billion this year, and that doesn't include the alcohol we buy from liquor stores.</p>
<p>And while that's good for those businesses, it means that we the consumers are literally drinking away our savings. Depending on what kind of drinker you are, you could be spending way more than you think on your little stress reliever. But, knowledge is power, so here we examine the costs involved, and just how easy it is to cut back.</p>
<h2>How Much Do You Drink?</h2>
<p>If you enjoy just one beer or glass of wine every night with dinner, then guess what &mdash; you are in the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/">top 30% of alcohol drinkers</a> in the U.S. If that shocks you, you're probably not alone. Two drinks? Then you're in the top 20%.</p>
<p>However, to get into the top 10%, you'd have to up your drinking considerably. How much? Over 10 alcohol drinks each and every day. That's right, according to the U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services, the top 10% of drinkers in the U.S. consume an average of 74 alcoholic beverages per week. That equates to 18 bottles of wine, or over six 12-packs of beer.</p>
<p>But even if you're just having a few drinks a week in the local bar or pub, the costs can really add up.</p>
<h2>What is it Costing You?</h2>
<p>If you're a heavy drinker, you probably aren't getting your alcohol from a bar; that would be crippling to your monthly budget. With most people spending $10 on a bottle of wine, it would come to over $200 per week including taxes, or over $800 per month. That's two or three car payments right there. Annually, that's almost $10,000.</p>
<p>Let's look at the budget of someone who goes out twice per week. Once during the work week, and once on a Friday or Saturday night.</p>
<p>When you go out to a bar during the week, you will usually order food with your drink. And with most people ordering two drinks, plus tip, you are looking at around $40-$50 for the evening. This, of course, doesn't include the costs for cab fare, babysitting, and other expenses.</p>
<p>On the weekend, a typical night out at a bar is a little different. You will most likely take advantage of the fact that there's no work the next day, and order several drinks over the course of the evening, along with food and snacks. You may also order cocktails, shots, or other specialty items to make it a good night. You will be looking at around $100 for the evening, depending on where you live. And keep in mind, that's per person. As a couple, you will spend at least half that again.</p>
<p>Do the math. $160 per week, or roughly $650 per month, can easily be spent by someone who enjoys six or seven drinks a week when they go out to bars or restaurants. It is, in fact, very similar to the amount of money that would be spent on alcohol by a hardcore drinker. By going out just a couple of nights a week, and drinking moderately, you're spending over $7000 a year.</p>
<h2>The Big Question: How Can You Cut Back?</h2>
<p>It's actually quite easy to make a few small adjustments to your weekly bar tab. In fact, you may not even notice the difference, depending on how strictly you follow the guidelines.</p>
<h3>1. Only Bring Cash Out</h3>
<p>By far the easiest way to stick to your booze budget is to hit the town with your plastic left at home. It's easy to rack up money on a credit or debit card, but cash is finite and you can see it going down throughout the evening. You can also preload a debit card and use that. Either way, once the cash is gone, it's time to go home.</p>
<h3>2. Take Advantage of Happy Hours</h3>
<p>Do you have to go out when everyone else is hitting the town? If you have your friends with you, why not do something a little earlier than usual? You'll get great specials, including two-for-one drinks, free appetizers, and even free shots. You can always head back to a friend's house later and finish the evening there.</p>
<h3>3. Eat (and Drink) at Home Before Hitting the Bars</h3>
<p>Food costs can really add up quickly in the bars, and the food may not even be that good. If you go out with a full stomach, you will not only save money on overpriced food and snacks, but avoid getting tipsy too quickly. As a student, my friends and I would usually have a few cheap beers at home with our food, too. Then we took the bus down to the bar, and were already quite happy before we'd ordered one drink.</p>
<h3>4. Order Water Between Drinks</h3>
<p>This is great for several reasons. First, a glass of tap water with ice and lemon is free at every bar. You can drink this and stretch your money over time. Second, and perhaps more important, it stops you getting drunk, and makes hangovers much less severe.</p>
<h3>5. Pitch in for Pitchers</h3>
<p>Bars and restaurants often offer pitchers of beer at a discount. Combine that with happy hour, and you can get enough beer for four or five people for just $5-$7. Also, consider domestic beers instead of imports and craft beers. They may not be as tasty, but they are usually much less expensive.</p>
<h3>6. Look for Freebies</h3>
<p>Bars know the importance of deals and coupons. They will often have specials on their websites, and in local papers and flyers. Save them, and bring them out the next time you visit. They can take a nice little sum off the final total.</p>
<h3>7. Ladies&hellip; You Can Get a Lot of Free Drinks</h3>
<p>Sad, but true. Many bars and clubs make special offers to women in the hopes of attracting a larger crowd. Some will let women drink free, or for $1 per cocktail, all night. And of course, many men will offer to buy you a drink. Just be careful who you accept these from, and if in doubt, say no.</p>
<p><em>How much do you spend on drinks per week? </em></p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/paul-michael">Paul Michael</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/heres-how-rich-youd-be-if-you-stopped-drinking">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-1">
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</div> </div><br/></br>BudgetingFood and DrinkalcoholbarsbeernightclubstavernswineTue, 05 May 2015 13:00:26 +0000Paul Michael1407935 at http://www.wisebread.comThe Online Dating First Date: Get a Drinkhttp://www.wisebread.com/the-online-dating-first-date-get-a-drink
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<p>Single folks, repeat after me &mdash; &quot;Would you like to go out for a drink?&quot;</p>
<p>It can be coffee. It can be a beer, cocktail, or glass of wine. It can be tea. Bubble tea. Juice. A milkshake. Heck, it can be for <a href="http://www.thewaterworksrestaurant.com/menus/5/">bottled water</a> if you want. (Going to a bottled-water bar could either be a hilarious first date or one of the most pretentiously off-putting things I can think of. Take a gamble!)</p>
<p>But seriously, make your first date grabbing a drink.</p>
<p>A few months ago, I rejoined the ranks of the single &mdash; and I returned to the hopeful, frustrating, and sometimes pleasantly surprising world of online dating. While I've had my share of terrible dates &mdash; dates where pulling conversation out of the other person was about as easy and pleasant as pulling a particularly onerous clog of hair out of the drain &mdash; I've really been enjoying the opportunity to meet new people I would never meet otherwise. (See also:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wisebread.com/from-5-to-30-date-ideas-for-every-budget">From $5 to $30+, Date Ideas for Every&nbsp;Budget</a>)</p>
<p>Perhaps even more than meeting new people, though, I've enjoyed how dating has both made me closer to my existing friends and helped me forge new friendships. People LOVE talking about dating &mdash; about what a good relationship means, what kind of people you meet on each dating site, and how many dates you go on before you have the &quot;what are we doing?&quot; talk.</p>
<p>And one thing that everyone agrees on, no matter what dating site you use &mdash; OkCupid, Match.com, eHarmony, Plenty of Fish, or whatever else &mdash; always get a drink for your first date.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<h2>1. It's Frugal</h2>
<p>Yeah, you're reading a frugal-living website &mdash; this is obviously going to be the first point.&nbsp;But dating can be expensive! I've been on exactly one online-dating first date that consisted of dinner, and I made a special exception because we had been talking about older restaurants. The date was fun, although I wasn't interested in a second date &mdash; and it cost me over $30. I think that $30 <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/big-bytes-using-tech-for-restaurant-discounts">isn't unreasonable for a good meal and drink out</a>, but if you going on a few dinner dates a month where you could have just gotten a $2 cup of coffee instead...? Well, that makes quite a difference.</p>
<h2>2. You Have an Easy Out</h2>
<p>If it's immediately obvious that you guys just don't have that spark, you have an easy out &mdash; it's just a drink. Stay 45 minutes, chat, and kindly take your leave. If you're at a meal or an event, getting out is a dicier situation.</p>
<h2>3. You're in&nbsp;Public</h2>
<p>I'm generally a pretty trusting person, but you <em>are</em> meeting a stranger for the first time. I've had people suggest hikes for first dates. While I love hiking (and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/50-ways-to-have-free-outdoor-fun">love that it's free</a>), I'd prefer to not have the first time I meet someone be when we're walking alone on a trail into the wilderness.</p>
<h2>4. You Have Something to Do (That Isn't Too&nbsp;Demanding)</h2>
<p>I'm a fidgeter. I like having something to do &mdash; even if it's as small as taking a sip of coffee. (And then, realistically, usually shredding the coffee cup or beer label or whatever it is.) But, at the same time, you're not doing a more-involved activity that makes it difficult to talk and get to know the person.</p>
<p><em>So, readers &mdash; do you agree?&nbsp;Or do you have a different favorite cheap first date?</em></p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/meg-favreau">Meg Favreau</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-online-dating-first-date-get-a-drink">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-1">
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</div> </div><br/></br>LifestylebarscoffeeDatingTue, 19 Mar 2013 09:37:00 +0000Meg Favreau969794 at http://www.wisebread.comCheap Ways to Spend a Night Outhttp://www.wisebread.com/cheap-ways-to-spend-a-night-out
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<p>While I love entertaining at home and attending events at friends' houses, sometimes, I just want to go <em>out</em> in the evening. Well, that doesn't have to mean dropping lots of cash to be entertained. Below are 15 great ways you can affordably leave the house. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/7-free-ways-to-get-out-of-the-house">7 Free Ways to&nbsp;Get Out of the House</a>)</p>
<p>Also, a note about bars and coffee shops &mdash; you'll notice that I've included a fair amount of things that take place at those venues; they offer some great, free entertainment. You do need to buy something to spend time in them, but remember &mdash; just because you're in a bar doesn't mean you need four fancy mixed drinks, and just because you're in a coffee shop doesn't mean you need an extra-large latte and a brownie.</p>
<h3>1. Attend Gallery Openings</h3>
<p>A lot of buzz goes to First Fridays (or Second Saturdays, or Third Thursdays), nights when shops and galleries stay open late, often offering free food and drink. But many galleries have other openings that are not associated with these events, and they'll also often feature extended hours, free refreshments, and entertainment. Check your local event listings.</p>
<h3>2. Got to a BYOB &mdash; or BYOF &mdash; Establishment</h3>
<p>If you want dinner and drinks, one way to save a bit is to go to a restaurant that lets you <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/frugal-drink-pairings-for-byob-restuarants">bring your own alcohol</a> &mdash; or a bar that lets you bring your own food. And don't think that BYOB means fancy food &mdash; depending on your local laws, it might be possible to find a BYOB&nbsp;in your area that serves inexpensive fare like burritos or sandwiches.</p>
<h3>3. Have a Board Game Night at a Bar or Coffee Shop</h3>
<p>Take the classic frugal entertainment out on the town. As long as you don't go overboard in order drinks, this will still be a frugal event.</p>
<h3>4. Take a Walk</h3>
<p>It's a classic for a reason &mdash; it's healthy, invigorating, and a great activity for chatting with friends.</p>
<h3>5. Do a Scavenger Hunt</h3>
<p>The prevalence of digital cameras and camera phones makes it easy to have a <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2262194_plan-photo-scavenger-hunt-groups.html">photo scavenger hunt</a>. Gather some friends or family, make up a list of photos people have to get (such as &quot;a pretty flower&quot; or &quot;shaking hands with a stranger&quot;), and split into teams. The first group to get photos of everything wins &mdash; plus everyone has great photos to share.</p>
<h3>6. Go to the Preview of a&nbsp;Play</h3>
<p>When new plays are about to open, they'll sometimes have &quot;previews&quot; &mdash; shows before the play officially opens where the performers work out kinks in front of a live audience. These tickets are often discounted. You can also look into rush tickets &mdash; available a few minutes before a show if it hasn't sold out, these tickets are usually drastically cheaper than regular ones. Rush tickets are sometimes available only to students; ask the theater if they offer them and, if so, what their policy is.</p>
<h3>7. Take Advantage of Daily Deal Vouchers</h3>
<p>I feel like they've gotten kind of a bad rap recently, but daily deals vouchers from companies like <a href="http://groupon.com">Groupon</a> and <a href="http://livingsocial.com">LivingSocial</a> can still net you some pretty awesome discounts for things to do outside the house. I bought trapeze classes through LivingSocial earlier this week!</p>
<h3>8. Go Stargazing (or People Watching)</h3>
<p>Which one you do is based largely on where you live &mdash; in the city, you can't make out those stars as well, and in rural areas, you probably don't have as many people to watch. Wherever you are, set up a blanket or plop down on a bench, and watch the world go by.</p>
<h3>9. Attend an Open Mic</h3>
<p>Whether it's for music or comedy, plenty of bars, coffee shops, and comedy clubs offer free nights where anyone can perform &mdash; or watch.</p>
<h3>10. Check Out Secondary Stages</h3>
<p>Some theaters have more than one stage. And while their secondary stage shows might not be as prestigious, they can also be plenty of fun &mdash; and a lot cheaper.</p>
<h3>11. Do Karaoke</h3>
<p>Don't worry if you can't sing &mdash; karaoke is about spirit!</p>
<h3>12. Take a Cheap Night Class</h3>
<p>Several businesses, schools, and organizations offer night classes &mdash; and many of them are exceedingly affordable. Whether you want to learn to knit, shine up your language skills, or <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/teach-yourself-to-cook">become a better cook</a>, there's probably an evening class out there for you.</p>
<h3>13. Compete in Bar Trivia</h3>
<p>Bar trivia is only as expensive as the food and drinks you buy, which means you can make it very cheap indeed. Search online for &quot;bar trivia&quot; and the name of your town to find out what establishments in your area have trivia nights.</p>
<h3>14. Go to an Arcade</h3>
<p>Or, even better, if there's one in your area &mdash; a retro arcade. Recently, my boyfriend and I went to an arcade with lots of vintage machines. They were still $.25 each, and we played about a half-hour of pinball for just $1.00.</p>
<h3>15. Join a Club</h3>
<p>Whether it's a book club, a knitter's circle, or something else entirely, joining a club (or <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-start-a-book-club">forming one with your friends</a>) is a great way to get out (and possibly meet new people).</p>
<p><em>What are your favorite ways to get out of the house on the cheap?</em></p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/meg-favreau">Meg Favreau</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/cheap-ways-to-spend-a-night-out">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-1">
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</div> </div><br/></br>Entertainmentbarscheap funthings to doMon, 10 Sep 2012 10:36:41 +0000Meg Favreau954298 at http://www.wisebread.com14 Dos and Don'ts to Ensure a Happy New Year's Evehttp://www.wisebread.com/17-dos-and-donts-to-ensure-a-happy-new-years-eve
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<p>Without proper planning, New Year&rsquo;s Eve can turn into one of the worst nights of your entire year &mdash; before the year even begins.</p>
<p>I speak from experience. I&rsquo;ve had my fair share of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/lessons-learned-from-new-years-eves-gone-wrong">New Year&rsquo;s Eve disasters</a> over the years.</p>
<p>This year, though, my husband and I will celebrate the holiday quietly indoors. We&rsquo;ll be in front of the TV, stuffing our faces with pizza, ice cream, and champagne, while cuddling on the couch and flipping between Anderson, Carson, and Ryan&rsquo;s annual broadcasts. Totally not sad about it either. (See also: <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/14-fun-winter-staycation-ideas">14 Fun Winter Staycation Ideas</a>)</p>
<p>But just because we&rsquo;re old, married, and boring doesn&rsquo;t mean you have to follow suit. In fact, I encourage you to get out there to shake things up and watch the ball drop the way that it&rsquo;s meant to be watched &mdash; with a huge smile on your face and an impending hangover.</p>
<p>Before you say hello to 2012, however, there are a few dos and don&rsquo;ts of New Year&rsquo;s Eve (every one of them tried and true) that you should put on your checklist.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Do: Eat a Satisfying Meal Before You Head Out</h3>
<p>Even if the party you&rsquo;re attending promises food, try to eat at least a small meal before starting your evening. Some parties can last six hours or longer, so it&rsquo;s best to arrive with something in your stomach. Also, it could be the case that when you arrive at your destination you don&rsquo;t like what&rsquo;s on the menu. That will leave you hungry and ill prepared for the alcohol you may consume. If you&rsquo;re carrying a purse, pack some snacks for good measure.</p>
<h3>Do: Fully Charge Your Cell Phone</h3>
<p>Make sure that you have a full battery before you leave the house for the night. Between checking in at locations on Foursquare, updating your Facebook status, and texting your friends and family Happy New Year&rsquo;s greetings throughout the night, your battery will be working overtime. You want your phone to work if you really need it later, like to call a cab or someone else to pick you up if you can&rsquo;t make it home on your own.</p>
<h3>Do: Remember Your House Keys</h3>
<p>You don&rsquo;t have to bring the whole ring &mdash; that just provides you with more stuff to lose in your stupor. Instead, take off only the house key(s) and put them somewhere safe &mdash; either on your body or in a hiding place outside the door for easy access when you stumble in.</p>
<h3>Do: Know Your Game Plan</h3>
<p>One of the worst decisions you can make on New Year&rsquo;s Eve is to play the night by ear. It will never work out in your favor. You&rsquo;ll encounter long lines and cover charges most places you go, and some establishments won&rsquo;t let you in if you haven&rsquo;t pre-purchased your tickets in advance. Do some research beforehand, and decide where you want to spend the night. You&rsquo;ll have a lot more fun when you know what to expect opposed to being blindsided a couple hours before the clocks strikes 12 with nowhere else to go.</p>
<h3>Do: Ensure That You Have a Safe Ride Home</h3>
<p>If you can find a DD on New Year&rsquo;s Eve, more power to you &mdash; but not many people are willing to follow a bunch of drunks around for hours just to drive them home at the end of the night. If you live in a reasonably large city, you can rely on <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/five-reasons-why-i-love-public-transportation">public transportation</a> and taxis, and in some places free cabs are available; to find the latter, do a Google search with your city&rsquo;s name.</p>
<h3>Do: Carry Cash, Credit, and Identification</h3>
<p>You should never rely on only a check or credit card on a big night out for several reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Bouncers never accept credit cards for entry</li>
<li>Some bars accept cash only for drinks (yes, even in 2012)</li>
<li>If your card is denied at any point, you&rsquo;ll be out of luck</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s easy to leave your tab at a bar without closing it or otherwise misplace a card when you&rsquo;ve been drinking.</li>
</ol>
<p>Your best bet is to carry a card (maybe two) and cash along with your ID.</p>
<h3>Do: Drink Water Throughout the Evening</h3>
<p>They say that the best way to prevent a <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/the-ultimate-list-of-hangover-cures">hangover</a> is to drink a glass of water for every drink you consume. Nobody ever listens to that logic since it&rsquo;ll have you in the bathroom relieving yourself half the night. Rather, be conscious of how much alcohol you&rsquo;re consuming and cut it with a bottle of water every couple of drinks.</p>
<h3>Do: Know Your Limits</h3>
<p>New Year&rsquo;s Eve is not a competition to see which idiot can drink the most. Or maybe it is, but that comes with severe consequences, like impaired judgment, severe vomiting, alcohol poisoning, and lots of other nasty side effects that can be avoided if you know when enough is enough.</p>
<h3>Do: Dress Warmly</h3>
<p>I know so many people who don&rsquo;t want to take away from their outfit by covering it up with winter gear, but those same people are the first ones to complain when they&rsquo;re standing in line outside the club for 30 minutes and freezing their bums off. Bundle up &mdash; it will probably be cold out. You can take it all off when you get inside.</p>
<h3>Don&rsquo;t: Leave Your Drinks or Personal Belongings Unattended</h3>
<p>Want your night ruined in a flash? Leave your purse lying around so it can get swiped or your drink unattended so it can be spiked. None of these despicable acts are your fault, but they can be prevented by closely guarding what&rsquo;s yours.</p>
<h3>Don&rsquo;t: Yell at the Bouncers</h3>
<p>If the bouncer doesn&rsquo;t let you into the party, it&rsquo;s probably for a good reason &mdash; it&rsquo;s at max capacity, you don&rsquo;t have the money, or you're visibly inebriated. Screaming and throwing a fit, demanding that he let you in isn&rsquo;t going to help. But it might just get you thrown in the back of a cop car a little faster.</p>
<h3>Don&rsquo;t: Rely on Anyone but Yourself</h3>
<p>You have the best friends in the world &mdash; we all do. But crazy things happen when everyone lets loose at the same time with no voice of reason to keep the situation under control. Be sure to have a back-up plan in case the night goes awry.</p>
<h3>Don&rsquo;t: Leave and Forget to Tell Your Friends About It</h3>
<p>How many times has this happened to you? One time a &ldquo;friend&rdquo; of mine left me at a nightclub without saying a word. I texted her several times before going to bed and called her several times the next day. She didn&rsquo;t return my calls until 5 p.m., at which point I was not only scared for her safety but also extremely mad. Save your friends some grief and try to stick with them.</p>
<h3>Don&rsquo;t: Let the Unexpected Ruin Your New Year&rsquo;s Eve</h3>
<p>Take it from me &mdash; what can go wrong sometimes will go wrong on New Year&rsquo;s Eve. You build this night up in your mind all year long and you want it to go off without a hitch, but that&rsquo;s not always the reality. I&rsquo;ve had a few terrible New Year&rsquo;s Eves, but they&rsquo;ve each been learning experiences in what to do and not to do when celebrating a new year. If you can roll with the punches &mdash; and use these tips &mdash; your night will be as incredible as you want it to be.</p>
<p><em>Have any New Year&rsquo;s Eve dos and don&rsquo;ts to add to my list? Let me know what they are in the comments section below. Stay safe, and Happy New Year!</em></p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/mikey-rox">Mikey Rox</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/17-dos-and-donts-to-ensure-a-happy-new-years-eve">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-2">
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</div> </div><br/></br>General TipsbarscelebrationNew Year's EvepartiesThu, 29 Dec 2011 10:48:18 +0000Mikey Rox845094 at http://www.wisebread.comGet Your Booze On for Freehttp://www.wisebread.com/get-your-booze-on-for-free
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<p>Recently a reader here at Wise Bread <a href="/not-just-some-junk-in-a-box#comment-748">accused us of being European</a>, citing our proclivity for writing about wine and beer. <em>Mais non</em>, my friend, but indulging in a little of the sauce every now and then is a luxury I'd rather not give up due to budgetary constraints. And I've found a fun way to do it for free, so I will risk name-calling &mdash; continental, drunkardly, or otherwise &mdash; and share this knowledge with you.</p>
<p><a href="http://myopenbar.com">My Open Bar</a>&nbsp;finds all the spots throughout town that offer free (or super cheap) drinks on any given night, and tells you all about them. And it's not just free watered down gimlets at the Elks lodge &mdash; these are cool events at cool venues. The kind of thing you know must be going on, but somehow you never manage to get in on. Now you'll know. It might be the KidRobot Mega-event at the Standard Hotel's rooftop bar in downtown Los Angeles, or free bathtub gin from 5:00 to 6:00 at the Blue Owl in the East Village. They cover several metropolitan cities across the country, and you can even sign up for the &quot;Boozeletter&quot; to get the latest haps sent right to your inbox.</p>
<p>This is more than just a glorified Excel spreadsheet though; they've built a hip little community over there. There's a blog chock full of event recaps, music reviews, and random other cool stuff. There's a cobrasnake-like gallery of all the hipsters, beautiful people, and whackjobs enjoying the generosity of others at My Open Bar events. And the fine folks over there encourage you to contribute photos and tips for their motley crew of stingy drunks. And in return, they make the following promise: &quot;We, on our end, will do our best to sell out as fast as we can and get all kinds of lame ads and banners on this piece. Word to yo moms.&quot;</p>
<br /><div id="custom_wisebread_footer"><div id="rss_tagline">This article is from <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/tannaz-sassooni">Tannaz Sassooni</a> of <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/get-your-booze-on-for-free">Wise Bread</a>, an award-winning personal finance and <a href="http://www.wisebread.com/credit-cards">credit card comparison</a> website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:</div><div class="view view-similarterms view-id-similarterms view-display-id-block_2 view-dom-id-3">
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</div> </div><br/></br>Food and Drinkalcoholbarsfree drinkshappy hour freebiesnightlifeopen barThu, 25 Jan 2007 06:34:11 +0000Tannaz Sassooni218 at http://www.wisebread.com